Poor care of 'mums, dads'

Four elderly patients who died at an Auckland hospital suffered "substandard care" on overcrowded and understaffed wards, a damning report has revealed.

Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson examined the cases of five elderly patients treated at North Shore Hospital. Four died; the fifth made a good recovery.

He said yesterday it was "a report about our mums and dads going to hospital and the treatment we want for them".

Mr Paterson described the report as a "window into a system under pressure". Though careful to note that the deaths were not due to a lack of medical care, he said overcrowding and understaffing led to poor care. He refers to staff being "overwhelmed" by their workload and states: "The nurses did not have time to care."

The cases included:

An 82-year-old admitted from her rest home. She spent 36 hours in the hospital's emergency centre. The complaint from her partner was about her care, the lack of communication and support when she was discharged. Two days after her discharge, it was discovered she had a fractured right hip. She was readmitted for surgery and died eight days later.

An 81-year-old suffering a severe stroke and heart attack who died eight days after being admitted. Her son, a doctor, complained his mother's deteriorating condition was not given necessary priority.

An 85-year-old admitted for assessment and treatment of heart problems. Two days later her condition deteriorated. Her family raised concerns. She died three days later.

A 73-year-old with a history of lymphoma admitted with breathing difficulties and a heart condition. His family thought he was dying and were frustrated by a lack of communication about his condition. He was discharged at their request, but readmitted later the same day and died the next day.

In the 131-page report on the state of the hospital between April and October 2007, published today, he says: "These cases vividly demonstrate how overcrowding and staff shortages can translate to substandard care for patients.

"What emerges is a picture of an overcrowded hospital, staff who were stretched and stressed and patients and families who were left in the dark."

It goes on: "Although the standard of medical care was largely reasonable, the nursing care was not. The nurses did not have time to care."

Patients were often kept in corridors when there were no beds and in winter, when demand for hospital services peaked, ambulances were used as makeshift wards.

Ward care was also criticised, with claims hygiene standards, care and supervision were inadequate. The report said the long waits and lack of attention to the patients amounted to disrespect.

Blame for the conditions was placed on Waitemata District Health Board.

Acting health board chairman Max Abbott said the board had taken steps to address the issues highlighted in the report. Nursing staffing had greatly increased since 2007 and 62 extra beds were added.